Proper 17 (OTA)

Isaiah 59:15-21

¹⁴  Justice is turned back, 

and righteousness stands far away; 

for truth has stumbled in the public squares, 

and uprightness cannot enter. 

¹⁵  Truth is lacking, 

and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. 

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him 

that there was no justice. 

¹⁶  He saw that there was no man, 

and wondered that there was no one to intercede; 

then his own arm brought him salvation, 

and his righteousness upheld him. 

¹⁷  He put on righteousness as a breastplate, 

and a helmet of salvation on his head; 

he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, 

and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. 

¹⁸  According to their deeds, so will he repay, 

wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; 

to the coastlands he will render repayment. 

¹⁹  So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, 

and his glory from the rising of the sun; 

for he will come like a rushing stream, 

which the wind of the Lord drives. 

²⁰  “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, 

to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. 

²¹ “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” 

God has put on garments of vengeance to seek out justice for his people. The Lord is displeased because there is unchecked evil in the world. The people of the nations have long stood against God's people. But the people have even mistreated one another. They have taken advantage of the poor and foolish. 

There are two important lessons here. The first is that God is going to execute justice over his creation. You who have done evil things should be afraid, be very afraid. The second is God is sending his Spiit to put words in your mouth. The truth of God will be spoken by his Spirit in every generation. 

God demands justice and therefore, he will send a Redeemer. This redeemer will come to make sure justice is taken care of. He will come to judge the living and the dead. He will judge us all. god has judged us all. Jesus took our judgment upon himself. He likewise sent the Holy Spirit to speak this truth in every generation. The Word of God placed in my mouth is God's forgiveness for sinners.

Christ has died for sinners. He has come to judge you, and to cleanse you, and to cloth you with the breastplate and helmet. He does this because he loves you. God loves you and forgives you, in Christ.